In photos: Costume Drama brings high-fashion DIY to ACT

"The Road Kill Dress," designed by Melaine Murrah and modeled by Molly Roberts-Rego at Costume Drama at Asheville Community Theatre (Carrie Eidson/ Mountain Xpress)

Asheville Community Theatre reprised their fundraiser Costume Drama: A Fashion Show for a third year on Monday, July 7. Designers and models from throughout the Southeast participated in the DIY runway event where they were challenged to create wearable art in themed categories: paper, nature, upcycled/recycled or — new this year— transformation.

Designers of all ages created hand crafted gowns for the event, including Dana Ervin, 16, who presented a white gown made of paper and William Gay, 14, whose sister modeled his entry in the nature category. The event also featured one young model — 8 year-old Annabelle Thomas, who modeled and helped design a “Dark Fairy” creation by her mother Melissa Thomas.

The winner of each category was chosen by crowd vote with Olivia Mears winning for paper, Amanda Tucker taking the nature category, Susan Sertain and Ida Bostian getting the nod for transformation and Aurora Moulin’s condom dress taking the lead for the upcycled category.

The crowd also voted for Favorite Dress through dollar per vote donations to ACT. Tucker’s leaf and flower ballgown won once again.

Through ticket sales and donations, Costume Drama raised around $10,000 for ACT, according to marketing director Jenny Bunn.